_Aur._ 'Tis not my Fault: and just Heaven must forgive What Heaven decrees----Yes, 'tis my cruel Stars That made my Heart inconstant to _Alonzo_, 'Tis with Regret I break my plighted Faith; In vain I strive to check my new-born Love, I cannot, cannot live without _Bassino_. _Flor._ Madam, I wish your Passion ne'er prove fatal, But much I fear this inauspicious Match. _Enter_ Bassino, Armando. _Aur._ May Heaven avert th' unlucky Combination Of our presaging Thoughts: For, know, I tremble too-- But here's the man that will dispel my Fears. _Arm._ to _Bass._ My Lord, remember To keep your Resolution. _Bass._ to _Arm._ Yes--I will keep it--[To _Aur._] Madam, you will pardon A Morning Visit, when you know what Reasons Press'd me to fix it on this early Hour.---- By Letters from the Court I was last Night Commanded to return with Speed to _Turin_, And thence let out for _France_, to represent My Sovereign Liege in solemn Embassy. This Day I must prepare to take my Journey, Tho' 'tis with killing Grief I leave my dear, My fair _Aurelia_----[To _Arm._] Now, my _Armando_. _Arm._ My Lord, 'tis well: But still be on your Guard, The dreadful Shock comes on---- _Aur._ This Day be gone! What means my Lord! Oh! Heaven, My boding Fears are come to pass: I see A Cloud of Woes just ready to o'erwhelm me. Is't possible! how can that Form divine Harbour such Treachery! Is then _Bassino_ false? Say, perjur'd Man, how often did you swear This happy Day should make you mine for ever! How can you now forget your solemn Vows? Why have I met with this inhuman Usage? _Bass._ Madam, my Prince's Orders Are absolute: My Honour is concern'd. _Aur._ Must a vain Title be preferr'd to Love? But no--You never lov'd----'twas base Deceit. Curs'd, curs'd dissembling Men! Their flattering Tongues Can feign a Passion that will look like Love, Till by Degrees they get us in their Power; Then with bold Impudence they draw the Vizor, And shew the Cheat that mock'd our credulous Hopes. Faithless _Bassino_, How oft you swore your Love could ne'er expire: How oft you swore one Smile of mine had Charms, Even above the Glories of a Crown. Those were the Oaths I fondly did believe; Those Words convey'd a Poison to my Heart, And even now I feel its mighty Force: My Head turns giddy, and my trembling Knees Betray their sinking Burden---- Alas! I faint, I die---- [_She faints_, Bassino _runs and embraces her_. _Bass._ Oh! stay, my Love, my Life, my Soul, my all: The Conflict's past, and I am thine again, But she is breathless! Oh! ye rigorous Gods, Give back her Soul, or let my own be plung'd To dark _Elysium_----Oh! my dear _Aurelia_! [_Hugs her._ _Arm._ Is this your Resolution? By Heaven, I blush To call you Friend. Your Wife, my Lord, remember Your Wife----